Toronto holiday market organizers apologize after AI-generated art sold at fair

The Town of York Historical Society found itself in hot water this week when greeting cards featuring art generated by artificial intelligence were sold at its recent holiday market. The Snowy Paper Fair, held at Toronto’s First Post Office from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1, showcased various vendors, including Vintage Villages, which specializes in AI-created cards.

Dylan Hachey, an industrial radiographer who runs Vintage Villages as a side business, explained that he uses an AI chatbot called ChatGPT to create the artwork for the cards. Despite not considering himself a traditional artist, Hachey spends around four to five hours on each card, providing prompts to the chatbot which then generates the images he desires. He then fine-tunes the designs using Adobe Photoshop before finalizing the layout of the cards.

Following the event, the Town of York Historical Society issued an apology on Instagram, vowing to only feature human-designed art in the future based on feedback received from community members. Executive director Alex Miller-Gerrard emphasized that the decision was not meant to diminish the value of AI-generated art but rather to uphold the organization’s focus on preserving traditional art forms.

While Hachey respected the organizers’ decision, AI-generated art has faced criticism from traditional artists like Sheila Davis, who believes that using AI shortcuts the immersive experience of creating art firsthand. However, with the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, artists are faced with the challenge of navigating new technologies while preserving the integrity of their craft.

Sarah Bay-Cheng, dean of the School of the Arts at York University, highlighted concerns around ownership of AI-generated art and its impact on artists’ livelihoods. Despite these challenges, she acknowledged the potential for AI to serve as a valuable artistic tool for those willing to explore its possibilities.

As for Hachey, he remains committed to creating and selling AI-generated cards, citing their popularity among buyers as a driving force behind his continued production. While debates around AI in art continue to unfold, it’s clear that the intersection of technology and creativity will shape the future of the artistic landscape.